Power flushing could solve your central heating problems

If your central heating systems been performing below par, then perhaps your central heating system needs a power flush?

Symptoms like noisy pumps or boilers, reduced hot water temperatures, radiators and/or pipework leaking, cold spots on radiators, longer than usual 'warming up' times, the need for regular bleeding, signs of sludge or debris in the system or pump failures can all point to your system needing a power flush.

But what exactly is a power flush?

Traditionally, to clean out a central heating system would involve shutting down the system and draining it completely from a low point to an outside drain, filling the system back up and letting it drain out again.

This is very labour intensive and usually requires a visit spread over a couple of days.

Some used to take radiators off individually and hose them out outside but again this is a messy and time consuming way, plus it never got rid of the debris in the pipework. A slow drain off has a similar problem in that debris isn't under force so it tended to settle and not drain out completely.

If you're having a new boiler fitted, you'll find nowadays that many insist on a power flush before the new boiler is connected. It's a bit like putting old engine oil through a new engine.

To carry out a power flush, a flushing system is connected to the heating system and water is pumped at speed through the system. In the wrong hands, the apparatus can cause damage to your system so it's important to use a reputable plumber or heating engineer / specialist flushing company to carry this out for you.

The low pressure, high speed water is run through the system, purging any debris until it runs clean, at which point the system is charged/primed and ready for action. The pump is usually connected where the circulation pump is normally although if its not practical then the connections across of one of the radiators is used instead.

Power flushing won't cure mechanical faults, but it can remedy most of the problems caused by mechanical faults.

Prices vary depending on area and size of individual heating systems. Most flushing systems will use a cleaning or 'mobilising' ageing which is added to the flushing water. This helps lift the debris that's stuck to small bore areas like pipework and joints.

Very often the problems which power flushing can solve can be attributed to a movement of one or more components of a central heating system. Perhaps the removal of a radiator for decorating or a new pump being fitted. Perhaps you've invested in a more powerful but fuel efficient boiler that's dislodged debris depositing it further down the line. Even adding new radiators - perhaps you've had a garage or loft conversion - can cause debris to shift around your system, causing one or more of the most common problems we outlined above.

The plumbing experts agree that if you are having a new boiler or whole central heating system installed, then a power flush is an excellent way to commission it by flushing out any metal filings or swarf, grease and solder.

If you're thinking of upgrading your old boiler for a new, more energy efficient model or having a new central heating system installed, we can give you an instant online quote, without the need for any salesperson to call you. Visit Heating Quoter today.